some more problems :(

[madmike77]

while your at it clean or replace the iac valve to replace it cost 30 bucks and it is simple to do 2 screws and it is located on the side of the TB WORKED FOR MINE I HAD HARD SHIFTS , and jerking at about 2500-3500 rpm's

[pontiacgt05]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Im gunna try the maf cleaner and the iac valve first.

Ill probly also want to seafoam it. Im not exactly sure how to do that though. I read some stuff about it and I know I need to disconnect some stuff, but im not exactly sure what.

[WidbyJ]

I'd suggest NOT using Seafoam unless you are absolutely SURE you know how to do it properly. Directions for these cars should be here someplace, search if you must...

[pontiacgt05]

Yea ive searched and I know the best way to do it is feed it though the mian vacuum line. Not exatlyyy sure where that is though. Do 1/3 of the can in there? then 1/3 in crankcase?and 1/3 in the gas tank? is that right?

[KhellendrosxS]

If you do put it in the crankcase youll need to do an oil change shortly after.

[pontiacgt05]

Yea and I should change my spark plugs and wires too correct?

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by pontiacgt05

Yea and I should change my spark plugs and wires too correct?

Not necessarily. If they don't have that many miles on them, there is no reason to replace them just because you add some seafoam. Only replace them if there is something wrong with them.


Also, adding them to the fuel and intake is ok since it will help clear out carbon deposits, but personally I am not a fan of adding ANYTHING to the oil. If the car has had regular oil changes with decent oil then there shouldn't be any build up and nothing to clean out. If you do put it in the oil, don't leave it in there long. Maybe run it for a week then change the oil. Besides, most quality oils have an additives package that does it's own cleaning.

[pontiacgt05]

okay I probly wont put it in the oil then. As far as I know the spark plugs have never been changed, and recntly the car hasnt been starting great. Thanks for the help

[Ceej]

Uh oh I hope you dont have the problem I had. Even with brand new plugs and wires mine would only start correctly from a cold start. Any other time is was a weak, terrible sounding start up.

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by pontiacgt05

okay I probly wont put it in the oil then. As far as I know the spark plugs have never been changed, and recntly the car hasnt been starting great. Thanks for the help

The owners manual recommends replacing the plugs/wires at 100k miles. How many miles are on your car? I've seen plugs last a long time in an engine that has been maintained and running properly (IE not burning oil or anything). But the center electrode does burn down over time and the gap can increase. If you have over 60k miles on the car, it wouldn't hurt to take them out and at least check them. If they look in good shape, just check the gap and re-gap them if necessary. Reinstall and see how they run.

[pontiacgt05]

ill check a few of them before I go and buy new plugs, but the car has about 97k miles so Its getting to that time to replace them anyway. Also will the seafoam clean the fuel injectors? I feel like they need to be cleaned as well.

[pontiacgt05]

Uh oh I hope you dont have the problem I had. Even with brand new plugs and wires mine would only start correctly from a cold start. Any other time is was a weak, terrible sounding start up.

Has that been a bad problem with you? mine normally starts better cold. For instance if I turn the car off and leave it for like 20 minutes, when i start it again sometimes it starts, then sounds like it bogs, then evens out again.. if i tun it off and start it again it normally starts fine though.

Should I mention when it does this boggy start, if i drive it after without starting again it drives funny. It hesitates and acceleration is choppy.

[pontiacgt05]

Okay so I went out and got the maf cleaner and decided while im at it to clean my filter. The maf wasnt dirty at all, but the filter was filthy. Anyway after finishing i took a drive around the block and it actually seemed to be a little better. Acceleration wasnt jumpy, and when i shifted to third it didnt slip right away. Ill keep trying some of the other ideas and updating.

[WidbyJ]

Glad to hear the filter got the gunk before the sensor and/or engine. It should be breathing better now... Time to clean/change the IAC.

[pontiacgt05]

yea thats the next thing im doing, alog with spark plugs and wires. Wont be able to do it till the weekend though

[pontiacgt05]

okay so i went out and bought the iac valve. thinking it would be easy enough, I went out and started taking out the one in there.. and i have no clue how to replace it. or even if i have the right thing. Help?

[[ChaosweaveR]]

Originally Posted by pontiacgt05

okay so i went out and bought the iac valve. thinking it would be easy enough, I went out and started taking out the one in there.. and i have no clue how to replace it. or even if i have the right thing. Help?

Pics would be very handy.

IIRC, the IACV is right after the throttle body, as is the TPS sensor.

[Nick-G]

Originally Posted by pontiacgt05

okay so i went out and bought the iac valve. thinking it would be easy enough, I went out and started taking out the one in there.. and i have no clue how to replace it. or even if i have the right thing. Help?

You should have two sensors on one side of the TB the top one is the IAC valve and the lower is the TPS. If you look inside the TB opening you should see a small hole before the throttle plate that will go directly to the IAC.

[pontiacgt05]

okay after some searching i got the old one out. its definately nasty. the spring on the old one, and the spring on the new one are at different lengths, should i do someting about this?

[pontiacgt05]

replaced the iac valve everything went good. car starts a little better now. I dont see any difference when drving it though. still does the werid shifting. Im going to record a video of it doing it so maybe you guys can diagnose it a little better